CategoryRoots

The Last Years and Death of Richard Nason (1606-1696)

Richard Nason lived to be almost 90 years old. A rare achievement now, and even more so in the 17th century. He must have been wiry and resilient, carried along by a stubborn determination to live and prevail. He came by himself to Maine when he was a young man; no family member, cousin or nephew preceded or came after him. He built up his estate through his hard work and the work and support of...

Richard Nason – Offices and Controversies

Richard Nason arrived in Maine sometime before 1636. My father told me that the date was 1629. I have also read that he arrived in 1623, 1629, 1630, and 1636. We know that it was before 1640 because his name appears in land records in Dover, N.H. before that date. Since Richard Nason received one of the choicest tracts of land in the Ferdinando Georges grant, I assume that he was at Pipe Stave...

Lussi Long-Night (“Langnatt”)

The folklore surrounding December 13th has held a special place in Norway since the Viking Age. It was thought to be the longest night of the year and the beginning of the Yule season.  It was a dangerous night, since it was ruled by a female spirit, a vette or vaettir, called Lussi (“Light”). She was the mother or leader of the vettir (spirits) and other Huldrefolk (supernatural beings), and kin...

Florence M. Anderson

  Florence Marie Anderson was born on November 14, 1920 in Elizabeth, NJ.  She was the second child and oldest daughter of Anna Louise Paloske and Clarence Anderson. Florence was very petite, 4’11”.  She had a beautiful smile.  Aunt Florence, “Flo” enjoyed hooking rugs and country dancing.  She married Churchill “Buddy” Thompson who was also from Elizabeth.  He was the son of Edith Leach...

Richard Nason: Wives and Children

SARAH BAKER NASON was Richard Nason’s first wife. Sarah was born in England in 1614, 1617 or 1620.  She may have been born in London, or in the port city of Dover, in Kent in southwest England. I believe Richard Nason met and married her in Dover, New Hampshire around 1635. Her father was Lt. John Baker, a freelance preacher, trader, and wealthy landowner. He was given to wild passions...

Richard Nason (1606-1696) – Stratford-Upon-Avon to Pipe Stave Landing

Richard Nason was born or baptized on August 3, 1606 at Stratford-Upon-Avon. I saw his baptismal font when I visited Holy Trinity Church in September 2018. The same font baptized William Shakespeare, a neighbor.  His father was Johanius (or John) Nason (1585-1624). His mother was Elizabeth Rogers (1583-1653). They married on October 28, 1600 in Stratford-Upon-Avon. Richard Nason was the third of...

John Nason (1585-1624)

John Nason’s name is also spelled Johanius or Johnnius Nasonne. Birth years of 1577 and 1580 are also mentioned, but September 3, 1585 is the generally accepted date. One source also mentioned that he was baptized on March 23, 1580. He was born in Wellesbourne, Warwickshire on the Mickle Meadow Farm. His father and mother were Ananius Nason and Ursula Rogers. He married Elizabeth Rogers in...

Ananias Nason (1551-52 – 1631)

Ananias Nason, a son of William Nason (1517/27-1573), was born in Charlecote, Warwickshire, England on July 10, 1551/52. His name is also spelled as Ananias Nasonne. Ananias moved his family to the Mickle Meadow Farm near the town of Stratford-Upon-Avon around 1580. He was a contemporary of William Shakespeare (1564-1616) a playwright and poet who lived in the same area. The 16th century began...

Clarence Anderson (1894-1953)

The story of Clarence Anderson’s life is filled with holes, gaps, and questions. His parents were both dead before my mom and her brothers and sisters were old enough to ask or remember their stories. A vindictive in-law, Anne Finlan, disliked the Andersens intensely (why?) and destroyed boxes of papers and keepsakes when Karl Andersen died in 1930. Those papers–letters, documents, photos...